Willard “Salt and Vinegar” Katsande, long revered for his grit and influence during his decade at Kaizer Chiefs, is shaping an unexpected second act in his football journey—one that veers away from the glamorous world of top-flight coaching. Instead of chasing first-team roles or high-pressure club jobs, the former Warriors midfielder is deliberately choosing to begin where he believes Zimbabwe’s football revival must be rooted: at junior level.
The retired midfield general is openly expressing a desire to coach Zimbabwe’s Under-17 and Under-20 national teams, positioning himself as part of a new developmental philosophy that prioritises early talent grooming over last-minute fixes. Speaking to FARPost, Katsande said the country’s continual struggles at senior level stem from what he calls “patchwork football”—short-term selections that ignore long-term planning and fail to build a sustainable foundation.
For him, the formula is simple: if Zimbabwe invests in well-structured, well-coached junior teams, the senior Warriors squad will naturally benefit. That means producing players who are not only technically polished and tactically educated, but who also understand the demands of modern football long before reaching their 20s. Katsande believes that meaningful transformation must begin during the formative stages, not when a player is already expected to perform under national pressure.
His passion for youth development is not theoretical. Katsande has spent several years working directly with grassroots players through his Kitoko Soccer School in South Africa. The academy has exposed him to the realities of proper player development and highlighted, in stark terms, the gaps that exist in Zimbabwe’s junior structures. He argues that without a coherent national pathway, the country will continue scrambling for ready-made stars, relying on individual brilliance rather than systematic player production.
Drawing from his exposure in South Africa, Katsande points to the progress made by the country’s junior national teams as a blueprint worth studying. He highlights the Amajimbos’ tactical maturity, improved coaching standards, and the rise of young standouts like Emile Witbooi, who is already featuring for Cape Town City FC’s senior side while still in his teens. South Africa’s U-17 setup, he says, is now producing players who move into senior football with confidence, fitness, and a deeper understanding of professional demands.
He is equally impressed by the South African Under-20 team, fresh from their AFCON success. The squad has been a conveyor belt of talent, with players such as Tylon Smith, Neo Rapoo, Mfundo Vilakazi, and Mamelodi Sundowns prospects Siyabonga Mabena and Kutlwano Lethlaku already catching the attention of European scouts and first-team coaches. For Katsande, these examples are proof that investment in junior programmes pays off—not just in medals, but in producing generations of top-level athletes.
Former Kaizer Chiefs Ace Targets Coaching Job in Zimbabwe’s Junior National Sides
Speaking to FARPost, the former Warriors vice-captain said his dream is to help create junior teams that reflect modern football principles, particularly in tactical education, technical refinement, physical conditioning, and mental resilience. He insists that Zimbabwe’s youth football needs to mirror global trends where players are developed through structured pathways, not simply thrown into the deep end.
To illustrate the power of long-term planning, Katsande referenced Ghana’s famous 2010 World Cup squad—widely considered one of Africa’s most complete teams. That side was built on the backbone of the 2009 U-20 World Cup champions, with graduates such as André Ayew stepping seamlessly into the senior lineup. Katsande believes Zimbabwe can replicate that model if it commits to nurturing talent from the U-17 and U-20 levels.
“It’s a long-term process, but it works,” he emphasised. “Real transformation starts long before a player wears the senior jersey. If you want consistent success, you must build from the ground up.”
Katsande has already made strides toward formalising his coaching career. He has completed his CAF C Licence and is set to pursue his CAF B qualification in 2026 as part of a structured pathway toward elite coaching credentials. His long-term goal is clear: to play an integral role in shaping the next generation of Zimbabwean footballers—players who can compete confidently against the continent’s best and eventually form a formidable senior national team.
The former Warriors hardman says he is ready to contribute not as a celebrity ex-player seeking prestige, but as a committed developer of young talent. “Our junior teams must be competitive again,” he said. “If we get that right, the senior national team will take care of itself. The players we develop today will carry Zimbabwe for the next decade.”
For Katsande, the mission is simple: rebuild the foundation, and the future will follow.
Source- iHarare
